Hat-blocking machine



Aug. 31 1926. 1,598,023

N. A. KORENSON HAT BLOCKQNG MACHINE Filed May 5, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet L Nels A. Sampson affoznurll Aug. 31 1926. 1,598,023

N. A. SORENSON HAT BLOC KI NG MACHINE Filed y 5, 1924 a Sheets-Sheet 2' Aug. 31,1926. 1,598,023

N. A. SORENSON HAT BLOCKING MACHTNE Filed M 5. 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 5 H 59 I I I I III l I 9 3? I n0ho (i 9 3 z a 57 Neils A-50rens0n W .q dfl Aug. 31 1926.

N. A. SORENSON HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed May 5,

1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Aug. 31 1926. 1,598,023

N. A. SORENSON HAT BLOCKING MACHINE F'iled y 1924 6 ets-Sheet 5 1/7 gnvenf 01' E] 35 Ne/s A. Sorensom I 39' ye f Gumm N. A. SORENSON HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Aug. 31,1926. 1,598,023

Filed y 5 $924 6'SheetsShee t e Ill/ I g'nvufloz Nels A. Sorenson Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELS A. SORENSON, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

HAT-BLOGKIN G MACHINE.

Application filed May 5,

My invention relates to an improvement in hat blocking machines, and is particularly intended for use in but reblocking shops where spaceis at a premium, and where it is not desired to invest any large sum in numerous crown shapes and sizes, yet which must be equipped to care for all sizes. 7

It is particularly my object in the present invention to provide a machine which is compact, simple to make and to operate, and which includes a crown and a brim flange which are adjustable to accommodate all sizes of hats.

It is a further object to provide means for adjust'ng the size of the crown which is easily -a d rapidly operable, to the end that changes of the crown size may be made with. no delay. In this manner the necessity of securing and installing a separate crown for each size of hat to be blocked is eliminated and the operator may instantly change the size of his machine to accommodate each hat as he reaches it in the course of his work.

A further object is the provision, inconnection with a hat blocking machine, of means for applying-steam to the hat and for pressing it, and further, to apply such a steam applicator or iron in such a way that it is easily controlled, although automatically movable over the hat while in place upon the crown.

A further object, in connection with a hat blocking machine employing such an iron which is movable over the sides of the crown and in which provision is made for adjustment to accommodate crowns of different heights, is the provision of means for limit- .ing downward movement ofthe iron to the exactlevel of the brim of the hat in place upon the machine, Without disturbing the remainder of its operation.

A further object is the provision of a crown member for use in such a hat blocking machine, in which portions of the crown are separable, and the further provision of means for fixing or determining the amount of separation of these crown members, in this way to determine the expanded size of the crown member.

A further object is the provision of a brim 1924. Serial No. 711,072.

whichis adjustable relative to the top of the such as relate to structural details, will be found.

My invention comprises those novel partsand combinations thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings,.des cribed in the specificatidn and particularly defined by the claims terminating the same. a

Figure 1 is an elevation of my machine, parts being broken away for clearness.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 4:, showing parts in closed position ready for operation.

Figure 3 is a sectionsimilar to Figure 2, showing the crown member expanded and showing parts in the course of adjustment. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the crown member, parts being broken away and the mechanism being shown in the course of adjustment.

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the brim flange.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan. view, partly in section, of the shim-adjusting means beneath the crown.

Figure 8 is an axial section of the lower part of the machine, on line 88 of Figure 3, showin the various operating connections, and Figure 9 is a section on line 9+9 of Figure 2, showing the operating levers and their connections in plan. 1

Figure 10 is an elevation of the iron controlling column', certain supports and the connections thereto being shown in section. Figure 11 is a detail axial section of the iron column control means, and Figure 12 is a transverse. section therethrough approximately on line 1212 of Figure 11.

According to my invention I employ a single crown member which is expansible from the smallest size to include the largest size, and which may be made segmental for this purpose,.the size of the crown being determined by shims which are adapted to be extent suflicient to enlarge the crown for the particular size desired. Such shims, it will be understood, will be of varying thickness to accommodate the various sizes it will be desired to make the crown. Means are provided for separating the crown segments and for moving the shims into place between the separated'segments, whereupon the segments may be brought into contact with the inserted shims to clamp the latter in place. As hats vary in the height of their crowns, means are also provided for supporting a brim flange in position relative to t e crown and for adjusting its height relative to the top of the crown. An iron is employed to apply heat and steam to the hat upon the crown and to move over the crown, over its sides and top and then down again, the iron and crown being relatively rotatable, preferably by rotating the crown. I provide also means for controlling the lower limit of movement of the iron so that it comes just to the brim flange, and no farther, and connect this control to that which controls the height of the brim flange so that as the brim flange is adjusted the lower limit of movement of the iron is correspondingly adjusted.

In Figure 1 I have shown the crown, generally designated by the numeral 1, with" the brim flange 3 encircling it and supported upon the adjustable supports 30 about the crown 1, and an iron 4 supported upon a lateral arm 40, the iron pressing against the sides of the crown. The crown is supported upon the upper end of a rotatii e shaft 9, this shaft being suitably driven from a motor 89, as, for example, through the worm gearing 88, so that the crown is rotated past the iron 4, which acts then to heat the hat upon the crown and to lay the nap of the hat in one direction and to stiffen it, as is well-known in the art. The rotation of the shaft 9, through bevel gears 87, operates also to raise the column 41 which supports the arm 40 and iron 4 in such manner that the iron is carried up the sides of the crown, over the top and in to its center, and is then carried out to the edge of the top and downward over the sides again, to the level of the brim flange 3. The means for effecting this movement of the column 41 will be explained in detail hereafter. An arm 42, fixed relative to the column 1, and to which is connected a weight W or other yieldable force, serves to yieldinglv press the iron 4 against the crown 1, unless otherwise restrained. w

As has been stated, the crown 1 is supported upon the upper end of the shaft '9 to rotate therewith. The crown is formed of a plurality of segments 11, such segments being.shown in Figures 4 and 5. These segments 11 are individually supported upon laterally extending supports or guides 12, which are supported directly upon the shaft 9 to rotate therewith, and which are received in guide recesseslO on the interior of each segment 11. Springs 13 serve to retain the crown as a whole contracted, and means are provided for expanding the crown at will. Such means I have shown as comprising the collar 14, rotatable with but slidable along the shaft 9 and connected. by a link 15 with the interior of each segment-11. Downward movement of the collar 14 serves to bring the links 15 into alinement with the guides 12, as is best shown by a comparison of Figures 2 and 3, and thus causes radially outward movement of the segments and consequent expansion of the crown.

Such movement of the collar 14 may be controlled through rods 16 paralleling the shaft 9 and rotatable therewith, and connecting to a second collar 16 which in turn is connected to a nonrotative control arm 17 shown in Figure 9. The handle lever 17 is suitably connected to the collar 16, as, for example, through a link 17 pivoted at 90, the lever 17 being fulcrumed at 91 and the levers 17 and 17 "being connected by a pivot pin 18. The link 17 is connected through a rod 19 and yoke 19 to the collar 16, the yoke 19 having a rotative engagement with the collar 16. Any other suitable connection between the control handle 17, which is non rotative, and the rotative collar 14, which will permit movement of the collar 14 from the handle 17, is within the scope of my invention, that descr bed being employed chiefly for its compactness. By'such means as these the crown member, though rotative, is controlled from a non-rotative handle to be expanded or contract-ed at will to vary its size.

Such expansion means as those described cannot be relied on to maintain the crown expanded with sufiicient nicety and exactness to employ them as the sole means-of determining the crown size. I therefore provide members which I have termed shims. which are insertable in the space between the seg- .ments 1 when the latter are separated, which will serye to exactly determine the separation of the segments, thus to definitely fix the size of the crown. Moreover, they may be made to fill out the shape of the crown, and thus to leave a smooth working surface over its entire area. Such shims are generally designated by the numeral 2.

Preferably such shims are supported immediately below the lower edge of the crown 1. As many sets 'of such shims would be employed (the several shims in each set varying in thickness) as there are spaces between segments, and the various sets are each positioned adjacent a space between ad- ]acent segments. as comprising long thin fingers, formed of The'shims I have shown Such a series of shims is supported for movement so that any one shim in a set may be brought into registry with the space between separated segments 11, and the various setsare connected so that all sets may be moved simultaneously to bring the corresponding shim in each set into registry with its respective space between segments.

To accomplish this I have supported the several shims in a set upon a shaft 20 for 16 pivoting thereabout. owever, instead of pivoting the shims directly upon the shaft 20 theyare pivoted about a sleeve 21 which supports all the shims of a given set and which is slidable longitudinally of the shaft 120. By suitably connecting such sleeves 21 all of the sets may be moved simultaneously. Such connection is conveniently made by means of a spider 22 oscillable relative to the shaft 9 and connecting to each of the sleeves 21. The proper positioning of any selected shim in each set may be accomplished by providing means for controlling the position of the several sleeves 21 upon their'respective shafts 20. For this purpose one of the shafts 20 may be notched as indirated at 23 and a dog 24 may be employed, engageable with the notches 23 to exactly control the position of one of the sleeves 21 and consequently of all of the sleeves, 35 the various sleeves being connected as has been explained.

By manipulation of the dog 24 and its handle the sleeves 21 are slid along their shafts 20 to bring any selected shim in a set, and the corresponding shim in every set, into registry with its corresponding space between separated segments 11, and into registry also with certain shim operating means which I willnow describe.

It will be understood that the particular form which the shim operating means may take is to a large extent immaterial. The member actually engaging the shims comprises a gear segment 5, pivoted at 50 upon a collar 51. It will be understood that'as' many of these gear segments 5 as there are sets of shims will be employed, each gear segment 5 bein positioned so that it will enga ea single shlm only in each set, the same being that shim which is in registry with the space between separated segments 11. To engage the several shims these are all provided at their. base with a segment gear 25, these segment gears being adapted to mesh in succession with the ear segment 5 as the sets of shims are shi ed longitu: dinally of their res ctive shafts 20.

The collar 51, WhlCh supports the segment gears 5, is rotatable with and supported upon the shaft 9. The-various gear segmovement longitudinalllg thereof, and for ments 5 have pivotally secured to them, outward of their pivots 50, and as indicated at 52, arms 53 depending from a collar 54,

which collar is rotatable with the shaft 9but slidable longitudinally thereof in much the same manner as the collar 14 is slidable.

Such sliding movement of the collar 54 may be accomplished by means of rods 56' connecting it to a lower collar 56, the latter being rotatable with and slidable longitudinally of the shaft 9 and being connected through suitable means such as the yoke 59 and rod 59 to an operating handle or lever 57. The rod 59 is not directly connected to the handle 57 but as in the case of the handle 17, I prefer to employ a link 57' pivoted at 90 and ivotally connected between its ends, as in icated at 58, t0 the cen tral portion of the lever 57, the latter being pivoted at 91. It will be understood that the rods- 56 may pass through the collars 16 positioned between the ends of the rods 56', inasmuch as all of these parts rotat-e together and the two collars 16 and 56 have relative movement merely longitudinally of the shaft 9.

By lowering the free end of the lever 17 the links 15 are drawn downward and outward through the connections previously described, and theisegments 11 of the crown are consequently expanded and separated. This position is shown in Figure 4. By adjusting the sets of shims, the several sets being adjusted simultaneously as has been described, and by selecting the proper one and fixing the dog 24 in the corresponding notch 23, the sets of shims are fixed so that a selected shim lies opposite each corresponding space between segments. the lever 57 is depressed, which, through the connections described, depresses the collar 54 and swings upward that particular shim 2 with which the segment gear 5 was in mesh. This particular shim in each setis selected by the correspondin segment gear 5 so that shims of the same t ickness in each set are simultaneously .thrown. upward into their positions. These segments then meet at the top and center of the crown, whereupon by releasing the lever 17 and throwing the Thereupon same upward the springs 13 are permitted to take effect, and retract the segments 11. Now, however, the selected shims 2 are in place between the segments and these retain the segments so arated by. the amount of their thickness, t us expanding the crownto a predetermined extent and increasing its size. of shims in a set, the size of the crown may be varied by eighth sizes and thus take in any range of sizes which may be desired, and in this manner ermit the adjustment of'a single crown to t any size of hat. The advantage of this is compactness, cheapness, and. ease of operation, over the ordinary By proper selection of the thickness method of employing a different crown for different sizes, is apparent.

To support and form the brim of a hat I provided a brim flange which is preferably separable from the crown but so connected and supported relative thereto that it will accommodate itself to the size of a hat to be blocked. Such a brim flange is shown in detail in Figure 6.- As shown therein it is formed of a plurality of segments, one segment for each segment 11 of the crown.

The several segments 31 are so connected either to the crown or to each other that the flange 3 as a whole is expansible or contractable as the crown 1 is expanded or contracted. In the preferred form shown the segments 31 are each provided on their under side with guide lugs 32 within which are received bolts 33, each bolt passing through the guide lugs of two adjacent segments 31, and the several bolts 33 being so arranged that expansion of the brim flange smallest size, the brim flange 3 will likewise be expanded.

The flange 3 is supported in suitable fashion so that it isadjustable in elevation relative to the top of the crown 1. Such means may conveniently be the rods 30, as has been described, these being supported in a frame 36 which is rotatable with the shaft 9 and longitudinally adjustable thereon. Such adjustment maybe made in any suitable manner, and as shown herein the frame 36 is directly connected to a sleeve 37 which terminates in a collar 37', this collar being embraced by a yoke 38 which is controlled in its position longitudinally of the shaft 9 by an operating lever 39 pivoted, like the levers 57 and 17, at 91, and preferably acting through links 6.9 pivoted at 90. It will be understood that the brim flange 3 merely restsupon the upright rods 30, these bearing upon bosses 30' on the under side of the segments 31. Thus the entire brim flange may be lifted readily from place and after completing the operations upon a hat the entire hat wouldthus be hfted with the brim flange, to remove it from the block. It will be obvious that by providing a few brim flanges of varying styles and sizes as to width, the machine is capable of caring for a wide variety of hats.

The iron 4, as has been stated, is supported upon an arm 40 which is preferably hollow and which delivers steam to the interior of theiron where, through suitable orifices and past proper valves, the same is delivered to the pressing face 43 of the iron, which face is formed to fit the general contour of the hat crown and brim flange, so far as that is possible. Inasmuch as the in terior construction of the iron forms no part of the present invention, and as any form such as is old in the presser art may be employed, I will not describe this in detail.

It will now be evident that if a hat is placed upon the properly sized crown and the brim flange 3 is properly adjusted in position, the shaft 9 carrying the crown and associated mechanism may be started rotating, carrying the hat on the crown past the iron 4. It is necessary, now, to provide means whereby the iron will traverse the crown, moving upward over its sides and then inward to its center of rotation, then outward over the top of the crown and to the level of the brim flange. It is evident also, that means must be provided whereby the iron is prevented from any movement lower than the brim flange, which must be capable of any desired adjustment relative to the top of the crown 1, although it is desirable that it should rest upon the brim for some time to thoroughly press the same.

I have, therefore, provided means for raising and controlling the movement of the iron 4, which I will now describe, although other means for accomplishing this result other than those particularly descrlbed herein, may be employed. On the end of the lateral shaft 86 carrying one of the bevel gears 87, I secure an arm 85. This arm 85 is connected through a link 84 to a collar 83 which is slidable longitudinally of a downward extension 44 of the column 41 which carries the arm 40 and iron 4. This collar 83 in its movement contacts with a stop collar 45 fixed on the extension 44 to raisethe column 41, and as the upper limit of movement of the collar 83 may be determined with accuracy, the stop collar 45 may be set at such a position that it will bring the iron 4 exactly to the desired level, that is, to the level of the top of the crown 1. In its downward movement the collar-83 permits the column 41 to move downward until stopped by the-engagement of a stop 46 with a stop 45, the latter fixed on the extension 44. If it should happen, as would usually be the case, that the stops 46 and 45 engage before the downward limit of movement of the collar 83, the completion of the downward movement of the iron and the forcing of the same against the brim flange, while the arm 85 completes the lower por tion of its cycle, is insured through a compression spring 82 encircling the extension asmuch as this downward limit must in .fact

be determined by the position of the brim flange 3, it is necessary to connect the stop 46 with the mechanism which controls the adjustment of the brim flange 3. I have,

therefore, shown an extension 73 beyond the pivot 91 of the lever 39, which connects with the lever 7 pivoted at 71 between its ends and connected to a link 72 which link car-- ries the stop 46. Thus, whenever the lever 3.9 is raised to raise the brim flange 3, the stop 46 is likewise and correspondingly raised to. stop the downwardmovement of the iron 4t at a higher elevation.

I prefer that the iron should be moved first upwardly, then moved inwardly over the top of'the crown to its center, and then moved outwardly over the same half of the crown and downward to its original position. To accomplish this, therefore, I have provided means which are best illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12.. A sleeve 60 is .held in position bya fixed cap 61 and this sleeve is provided with a cam slot 6 with which is engageable a pin 62 projecting from the column 41. Thesleeve 60 is rotatable within the cap 61, but the arm 42, being secured thereto and being acted upon by the weight l/V, normally tends to throw the sleeve over to a position where it is held by a suitable stop. A collar'63, carrying a handle 65, is provided with a stop, shown herein as the set screw 64, which is-engageable with a stop shoulder 64' on the sleeve 60. Thus, by throwing the handle 65 around in one direction, away from the sheet as shown in Figure 11, or counterclockwise as seen in Figure 12, the sleeve 60 and its cam slots 6 are moved in such manner as to throw the iron away from the crown 1. When it is desired to hold the iron in this position a pin 66, spring-pressed inward, is engageable in a hole 67 in the cap 61, so positioned as to maintain the iron out of contact with the crown. The cam slot or slots 6 are so formed that the iron will be caused to rise, following the contourof the crown 1, and to swing inward over'its top while rising,

being itself pivoted about the lateral arm 40 which supports it. Upon reversal of the movement of the column 41, that is, when it moves downward, the cam slot will act to move the iroILoutWard. over the same path and finally downward over the crown to the brim flange.

Steam is supplied tothe iron 4 in any suit.- able manner. I have found I it generally convenient, however, to supply this through the interior of the lateral arm 40, and to make the column 41 hollow also, as is indicated in Figures 10 and. 12. I have shown perforations 47 in the column 41, these holes being enclosed within a casing 48, to which casing is connected a steam pipe 49. Vertical movement of the column 41 will never suffice. to pass anyof the perforations 47 outside of the casing 48, nor will it ever be suflieient to prevent eommunicationbetween the interior of the casing 48 and the interior of thecoluinn 41. Control of the steam may be secured either throu h a valve in the connection 49 (not shown or through a valve 4 in the iron 4, or in any other suitable manner.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a hat blockmg machine, a crown, means for expanding or contracting said crown at will, and a segmental brim flange formed as an annulus, the several segments being yieldably connected, and the flange as a whole being yieldable both transversely and longitudinally to accommodate itselfto the crownsize.

2. In a hat blocking machine a crown, an

iron movable over the side and top of said crown, a brim flange cooperable with said crown, means for maintaining the position of said brim flan e, at a selected distance below the top 0 the crown, and means limiting the downward movement of the iron to the height of the brim flange. 3. In a hat b ocking machine a crown, an 11011 movable over the side an top of said crown, a ,brim flange cooperable with said crown, means for maintaining the position of said brim flange at a selected distance below the top of the crown, means for adjusting the height of said-brim flange ,at' will relative to t ing the downward movement of the iron, and means connecting the brim flange adjusting means and the iron limiting means to limit downward movement of the iron toany selected height'of the brim flange.

4. In a hat'blbcking machine, a crown, an iron movable thereover, means determining and controllingmovement of said iron from the center of the top of the crown, substantially horizontally to the junction of the top and sides of the crown, and thence downward over the side of the crown, and means independent of said first means, and adjustable to intercept the downward movement of the iron at a selected level below the top of the crown without aflecting the action of the iron under the control of said first means.

5. In a hat blocking machine, a crown, an ron, means controlhng movement of said iron to raise it over the sides of the crown, then to swing it in over the top thereof and then to move it downward over thetop and side, a brimflange adjustable in height relativeto the top of the crown, and means operable to adjust the height of said brim e top of the crown,- means limiti flange and to limit the downward movement of the iron without affecting the inward movement thereover the top of the crown.

6. In a hat blocking machine, in combination with a rotative crown, an iron adapted to press thereagainst, a vertically movable column, an arm extending laterally therefrom, said iron being rotatably supported upon said arm to swin about a horizontal axis, and means operab e upon said column to raise it and said arm until the iron reaches the top of the crown, and then to turn the column upon its axis, to swing the arm inward to and finall outward from the center of rotation of t e crown, whereby said iron follows the contour of the crown.

7. In a hat blockingmachine, in combination with a rotative crown, an iron-adapted to press thereagainst, a vertically movable column, an arm extending laterally therefrom, said iron being rotatably supported upon said arm to swin about a horizontal axis, and means operab e upon said column to turn it upon its axis, thereby to swing said arm inward to and outward from the center of rotation'of said crown, a stop carried b said column-controlling means, and a ban le and a sto carried thereby and engageable with sai first stop to turn said column to thereby swing said arm and iron from engagement with the crown.

8. In a .hat blocking machine, a segmental crown, a support therefor, means for separating the segments thereof, and shims supported from said support and movable be.- tween said segments to vary the effective size of said crown.

9. In a hat blocking machine, a segmental crown, means .for se arating the segments varythereof, a plurality 0 sets of shims 0 ing thickness, each set corresponding to a space between adjacent segments, means for moving said sets of shims simultaneously to bring a shim of selected thickness in each set into registry with the :corresponding space between segments, and means for moving said shims each into its space between segments to vary the efiective size of said crown.

10. In a hat blocking machine, a segmental crown, means for separatlng the se ents thereof, a-plurality of sets of shims o varyany selected shim into registry with the corresponding space between segments and with the corresponding shim-operating means, and means for actuating all of said shim-operating means simultaneously to move the shims in registry therewith into position between the segments.

12. In a hat-blocking machine, in combination wth a segmental crown and means for separating the segments thereof, a plurality of sets of shims of varying thickness, each set corres onding to a space between segments, a sha t extending through and supporting each set of shims, a sleeve extending through each set of shims and each slidably mounted upon its respective shaft, shim-operating means positioned adjacent each shaft and each engageable with a single shim in its set for moving it into position between the se arated segments, and means connecting sa1d sleeves for simultaneous movement to bring corresponding shims in each set into engagement with the respective shim-operating means.

13. In a hat blocking machine, in combination with a crown including members separable for expansion, means for maintaining the separation of said members comprising a shim pivoted beneath the crown member, a segment gear carried thereby, a gear segment in mesh therewith, and means for rotating said gear segment to swing said shim into position in the space between the separated members.

14. In a hat blocking machine, in combination with a crown including members separable for expansion, means for determining the amount of separation com rising a plurality of shims of varying thic ness supported adjacent a point of separation of the crown members, and a shim-operating mem-.

ber operable to move a selected shim into position in the space between the crown members, said shims and the shim-operating member being relatively movable to engage the operating member with a selected shim.

15. In a hat blocking machine, in combination with a crown including members separable for expansion, means for determining the amount of separation comprising a plurality of shims of varying thickness coaxially pivoted adjacent a point of separation of the crown members, and each having a segment ear'formed thereon, a shim-operating mem er having a ear segment formed thereon and engageab e with the segment gear of a selected shim to move said shim into position in the space between the crown members, and means for moving all of the shims simultaneously past the shim-operating means to bring the gear segment of the latter into engagement with the segment gear of a selected shim.

16. In a hat blocking machine, .in combination, a rotatlve shaft, a segmental crown tion, a rotative shaft, a plurality of radially,

extending supports secured to rotate therewith, a segmental crown, each segment being slidable along one of said supports, means for actuating said segments to separate or to retract them, and shims movable into position between adjacent segments, and rotatable therewith.

18. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a plurality of radi ally extending supports secured to rotate therewith, a segmental crown, each segment being slidable along one of said supports, a collar rotatable with and slidable along said shaft, links within the crown connecting each segment thereof with said collar to move the segments along said supports, non-rotative means for controlling the movement of said collar, and actuative connection between said control means and the collar.

19. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a segmental crown, means including a collar rotatable with and slidable longitudinally of the shaft for effecting separation and retraction .of said segments, a control handle spacedfrom said collar longitudinally of the shaft, a second collar upon and rotative with said shaft between the first collar and said handle, a yoke engageable with said second'collar to adjust it longitudinally of the shaft, operative connection between said handle andfsecond collar, and rods connecting said collars and paralleling said shaft.

20. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a segmental crown, means including a collar rotatable with and slidable longitudinally of the shaft for effecting separation and retraction of said segments, shims movableinto the space between separated segments, a control handle spaced from said collar longitudinally of the shaft, means including a collar rotatable with and movable longitudinally of the shaft for operating said shims, said shimoperating collar being positioned between the segment-operating collar and its control handle, a shim-controlling handle adjacent the segment-controlling handle, and means operatively conecting each handle with 1ts respective collar for independent operation thereof.

21. A machine as in claim 20, the connections between each handle and its respective collar including rods rotatable with and paralleling the shaft and a collar and yoke connected through its respective rods with the corresponding one of said first collars, and operative connections between each handle and its respective yoke.

22. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a crown member rotative therewith, a brim flange positioned about said crown member and rotatable therewith, brim flange supports outside of said crown member and movable relative to the level of the crown top, a frame connecting said supports for simultaneous adjustment, a sleeve supporting said frame and rotatable with and movable longitudinally of said shaft and a control handleoperatively connected to said sleeve to adjust the level of-said brim flange.

23. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative crown member, a brim flange rotative therewith, means for adjusting the level of said brim flange relative to the top of the crown member, said means including a handle lever, an iron movable over the crown member, means for controlling the movement of said iron, and means connected with said brim flange control lever for limiting the movement of the iron below the crown top to the level of the brim flange.

24. In a hat blocking machine, a crown member, an iron movable upward and down ward over the sides and top of said crown member, a vertical column axially movable and supporting said iron, a stop collar fixed on-saidcolumn, a collar movable upward and downward along said column through a given distance, and engageable with said stop collar to raise the iron to the top of the crown member, and means for intercepting the downward movement of the column to limit the downward movement of the ironat a predetermined level? 25. In afhat blocking machine, a crown member,,an iron movable upward and downwardmver the sides and top of said crown member, a vertical column axially movable and supporting said iron, a stop collar fixed on said column, a collar movable upward and downward along said column through a given distance, and engageable with said stop collar to raise the iron to the top of the crown member, a brim flange encircling said crown member, means for adjusting the level of said brim flange relative to the crown top,

and means operatively connected with said brim flange adjusting means for intercepting the downward movement of the iron at the level ofthe brim flange.

26. In a hat blocking machine, a crown member, an iron movable upward and downward over the sides and top of said crown member, a vertical column axially movable and supporting said iron, a stop collarfixed on said column, a collar movable upward and downward along said column through a given distance, and engageable with said stop collar to raise the iron to the top of the.

crown member, a second stop collar on the column, and a sleeve adjustable lengthwise of the column and positioned to intercept said second stop collar in its downward movement, thereby to limit downward movement of the iron at a predetermined level.

27. In a hat blocking machine, a crown member, an iron movable upward and downward over the sides and top of said crown member, a vertical column axially movable and supporting said iron, a stop collar fixed on said column, a collar movable upward and downward along said column through a given distance, and engageable with said stop collar to raise the iron to the top of the crown member, .a head on the lower end of the column, a compression spring interposed between said head and the movable collar to force the column and iron downward, and means for intercepting the downward movement of the column to limit the downward.

movement of the iron at a predetermined level.

28. In a hat blocking machine, a crown member, an iron pressing thereagainst and movable thereover, a vertical column axially movable, means for raising and lowering said column, a lateral arm supporting said iron from said column, a sleeve guiding said column, said sleeve and column having cooperating cam means for raising said iron over the side of the crown member an'd'then swinging it in to the center thereof as the column is raised,and for then swinging it out and finally moving it down over the side as the column is lowered.

'29. In a hat blocking machine, a crown member, an iron pressing thereagainst and movable thereover. a vertical column axially movable, means for raising and lowering said column, a lateral arm supporting said iron from said column, a sleeve guiding said column, said sleeve and column having co operating cam means for raising said iron over the side of the crown member and then swinging it in to the center thereof as the column is raised, and for then swinging it out and finally moving it down over the side as the column is lowered, and means engageable at will with said guide sleeve to rotate it to swing the iron from contact with the crown member.

30. A brim flange for hat blocking machines comprising at least four segments each segment, a bolt passing through the guides of adjacent segments, springs surrounding each end of said bolts, and nuts seicured thereon to retain said springs in p ace.

32. A hat blocking machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a segmental crown member rotatable therewith, a brim flange encircling said crown member and rotatable .therewith, means for separating or retracting said segments, shims movable into position between separated segments to determine the separation thereof, means for controlling the height of said brim flange rela-. tive to the top of the crown member, means for controlling the separation of the crown segments, and means for controlling the movement of said shims, said control means all including members extending longitudinally of the shaft and rotatable therewith, and a handle operatively connected with their respective rotatable members.

33. In a hat blocking machine, a crown, an iron, said crown and iron being relatively rotatable, and being additionally relatively movable to traverse said iron outwardly from the center of the top of the crown, and then downwardly over its side, means controllin such traversing movement of the.iron,.a Irim flange adjustable in height relative to the top of the crown, and means. cooperable with said brim flange to limit the downward movement of said iron to the selected level of the brim flange.

34. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a segmental crown supported thereon and rotative therewith, means for separating the segments of said crown, shims movable into the spaces between adjacent segments to determine the amount of separation thereof, an iron movable over said crown transversely of its direction of rotation, and a brim flange cooperable with said crown and with said iron, when the latter engages the hat brim, to shape the same. I

35. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotative shaft, a crown supported thereon and rotative therewith, means for adjusting the size of said'crown, an ironmovable thereover transversely of its direction of rotation, and a brim flange positioned to support the brim of a hat carried by said amwm flown, and lying clusaly afijacent said crown.

36. In & hat blocking mmchim, in combi nation, 21 mmtive shaft, 2L pluralifiy of sep- Mable segments cooperating m form -a crown, means for mounting said s gmmm upon said shaft to mm theremiah and w be moved radially thwwf, mamas 01" amtfimg swam 'wgmms we? for drawing them mgexther, and shims movable into position 16 hatween adijm-em' smgmmfus, and rotatable therewith. H

Signed Smith, King County, Wash- :img'mn, %8"&h day M Apfiil 1912410 

